Robotic cannon with laser

Abstract

A firing device is provided for launching and retrieving projectiles as well as firing laser weapons from a robotic platform. In robotic games or competitions the projectiles and laser weapons are fired at targets to score points. In a game of laser tag the laser and / or infrared weapons are fired at targets on competing robots to score points and / or to disable the targeted robot. The firing device has one, two, or three rotating launch wheels for launching spherical projectiles illustratively including ping pong balls, where the revolution speed of launch wheels may be varied to control projectile velocity and distance of travel. A deflector plate is used to change the trajectory of the projectile and / or the laser beam.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 567,866 filed 4 Oct. 2017; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention in general relates to robots and robotic games, and in particular to a projectile launching device with a laser beam generator.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Most entertainment-themed robots are intended for use in single-purpose games where the robots may push each other around (sumo), destroy each other (e.g., BattleBots, RobotWars, etc.), or play some form of soccer (push / roll / kick a ball into a goal). Some entertainment-themed robots have incorporated additional entertainment features (e.g., ability to play music or record video). However, there are currently no entertainment-themed robots that provide for multiple and interchangeable forms of cannon, projectile launchers, or laser beam generators for laser tag. Fur...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent involves a firing device that can be attached to a robot. The device has a hopper that holds projectiles, which are then pushed out of a guide tube or guide rails by launch wheels. The device also has an adjustable deflector plate at the end of the guide tube or guide rails to determine how the projectile is flying. The technical effect of this invention is that it allows a robot to easily and efficiently fire projectiles in a controlled and precise manner.

Problems solved by technology

However, there are currently no entertainment-themed robots that provide for multiple and interchangeable forms of cannon, projectile launchers, or laser beam generators for laser tag.

Furthermore, there is currently no ability to aim projectiles or laser beams during game play.

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